2022 Power Rankings: Major Shakeups in College Football Playoff Odds after Tennessee Win Over Alabama, USC Loss

On the biggest Saturday of the College Football season, Tennessee emerged as the biggest winner.

Tennessee won a thriller over No. 3 Alabama to improve its undefeated season in the final seconds, while TCU won a Big 12 undefeated battle over Oklahoma State in overtime. In the third battle of the unbeaten squads, Michigan rolled over Penn State.

It was a heart stopping day of college football, so the day after, let's power rank every team's route to the College Football Playoff.

1. Georgia (+190)

It was business as usual for the Bulldogs, who rolled over hapless Vanderbilt 55-0.

Next Week: BYE

2. Ohio State (+170)

BYE

Next Week: Ohio State

3. Clemson (+1200)

Clemson continues to beat any ACC foe in its way, rolling to an undefeated start with one unbeaten left to beat, Syracuse next week.

D.J. Uiagalelei continues to mature as a passer and has the Tigers' offense playing far better than it did in 2021, evidenced in the 34-28 win over Florida State on the road, passing for three touchdowns.

Next Week: Syracuse

4. Tennessee (+2000)

Tennessee, YOU are back.

The Vols knocked off No. 3 Alabama 52-49 in the game of the year on a last second field goal.

Hendon Hooker arguably became the Heisman Trophy favorite on Saturday, completing 21-of-30 passes for 385 yards and five touchdowns. It was an absolute duel that thrusted Tennessee into the College Football Playoff.

However, the Vols are far from a lock for the top four when it's all said and done. They still have to go to Georgia later in the season and may not play in the SEC Championship. You are likely betting into the shortest possible market on Tennessee (unless of course, you believe they can beat Georgia).

Next Week: Tennessee-Martin

5. Alabama (+450)

On the other side of Tennessee's win is Alabama's loss. However, it's not all over for the Crimson Tide, who are still in pole position to win the SEC West and favored in the rest of their games.

The key will be if Alabama can hold serve and win the SEC Championship in December to make the College Football Playoff.

Next Week: Mississippi State

6. Michigan (+1600)

Many questioned Michigan's strength of schedule but boy did the Wolverines make a statement at home against Penn State, winning 41-17.

The Wolverines ran for 418 yards in the victory as they announced themselves as College Football Playoff contender.

Next Week: BYE

7. TCU (+6000)

The Horned Frogs erased a 14-point fourth quarter deficit at home against Oklahoma State to hold onto their undefeated season in overtime.

TCU's defense was massive in the comeback, holding Oklahoma State to six points in the third and fourth quarter.

The Big 12 is wide open, but the Horned Frogs have set the pace after handing Oklahoma State their first loss of the season.

Next Week: Kansas State

8. Oregon (+5000)

BYE

Next Week: UCLA

9. UCLA (+5000)

BYE

Next Week: @ Oregon

10. USC (+8000)

In the last marquee matchup of Saturday's Week 8 slate, USC came up short against Utah on the road, 43-42. The defense couldn't keep the Utes out of the end zone in the final minute and Cam Rising's two-point conversion soiled nearly all hope of a CFP berth for the Trojans.

Caleb Williams and the passing game was excellent in the shootout, keeping him within earshot of the Heisman Trophy, completing 25-of-42 passes for 381 passing yards with five touchdowns.

We knew the USC offense would be top three in the country, but the defense was always the concern, and we saw it at the worst time for them on Saturday.

Next Week: BYE

11. Ole Miss (+8000)

Don't look now, but the Rebels are 7-0 on the season, flirting with going over their win total of 7.5 already.

In a chaotic affair, the Rebels handed Auburn a loss at home with a ton of trick plays, including an onside kick up seven. Risky, but Lane Kiffin emptied the kitchen sink to ensure a win against the Tigers.

I'm still not sold on the Rebels as an SEC contender, but the team continues to rack up W's, keeping them in the mix.

Next Week: @ LSU

12. Kansas State (+50000)

BYE

Next Week: @ TCU

13. Texas (+13000)

Texas dragged its feet through a three-point win over Iowa State, recovering a fumble late to secure the win, 24-21.

While the Longhorns will stay in the driver's seat against of the Big 12, this close call against the Cyclones shows how small the difference is between the top and bottom of the conference.

Next Week: @ Oklahoma State

14. Oklahoma State (+10000)

The Cowboys' offense couldn't get going in the second half and TCU found their form just in time to knock off Mike Gundy's bunch.

In the end, OK State was out-gained 510-386 in the overtime defeat.

Next Week: Texas

15. Wake Forest (+25000)

BYE

Next Week: Boston College

16. Penn State (+20000)

Penn State had an outside chance to the College Football Playoff, but it started with a win at Michigan. That wasn't the case as the offense sputtered all game long in a 41-17 loss.

The Nittany Lions couldn't keep Michigan off the field and put up 268 total yards in the loss, a sign that their offense isn't at a high enough level to compete with the national elite.

Next Week: Minnesota

17. Utah (+25000)

Utah may be a two-loss team, but everybody is aware of the talent. They were favored at home against a top 10 USC team with CFP aspirations, and lived up to the hype on Saturday night.

In a back-and-forth affair, the Utes scored and got the two point conversion in the final minute to go up by one point against the Trojans, eventually securing their signature win of the season, and thrusting them back into the PAC-12 Championship conversation.

Next Week: BYE

18. Syracuse (N/A)

Syracuse won an ugly game against North Carolina State, who was down its starting quarterback Devin Leary, 24-9. We'll see if 'Cuse can make a serious jump in the rankings by beating Clemson on the road next week.

Next Week: @ Clemson

19. Illinois (N/A)

Yes, it's Illinois who has the inside track to the Big Ten Championship Game.

At 6-1 and coming off a win at home against Minnesota, the Fighting Illini are thinking about Indianapolis at this point behind one of the best defenses in the country.

Illinois out gained Minnesota 472-180 in the win.

Next Week: BYE

20. North Carolina (+13000)

The Tar Heels rallied to knock off rival Duke on the road on Saturday, another high scoring thriller, 38-35. The Tar Heels are in firm control of the ACC Coastal in hopes of an ACC Championship appearance.

Next Week: BYE

21. UCF (N/A)

UCF pummeled lowly Temple on Thursday night, 70-13. After the Owls made it 14-13 in the second quarter, UCF rattled off 56 straight points en route to the victory.

Undefeated in the ACC, the Knights have the inside track to the AAC championship game with a home game against Cincinnati in a few weeks.

Next Week: @ East Carolina

22. Cincinnati (N/A)

BYE

Next Week: @ SMU

23. Purdue (N/A)

The Boilermakers continued their winning streak on Saturday at home, winning a high scoring matchup against Nebraska, 43-37. In a chaotic Big Ten West, Purdue is fully intrenched in the race with a big road trip to Wisconsin next weekend.

Next Week: @ Wisconsin

24. Kentucky (N/A)

Much respect to a banged up Wildcats team that won as home underdogs against Mississippi State, 27-17. Quarterback Will Levis returned at quarterback despite several injuries to his foot, finger and shoulder, completing 17-of-23 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown.

No problem for Mark Stoops' bunch, who held off the Bulldogs and snapped a two game losing streak.

Next Week: BYE

25. LSU (N/A)

LSU won one of the highest scoring affairs of the day in the Swamp against Florida, 45-35. The offense broke out after a lackluster loss to Tennessee last week, averaging nearly eight yards per play.

Next Week: Ole Miss

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.